Clan Lennox
Encyclopedia
Origins of the name
The name Lennox in gaelic comes from the place of the same name. The clan name comes from the title of Earl of LennoxEarl of Lennox
The Mormaer of Lennox or Earl of Lennox was the ruler of the long-lasting provincial Mormaerdom/Earldom of Lennox in the Medieval Kingdom of the Scots. The first Mormaer is usually regarded as Ailin I , but the genealogy of the Mormaers gives earlier names...
which commanded the vale of Leven between the 12th and 15th centuries.
15th century
In 1424 the Clan Lennox was decimated and Iain Colquhoun of Luss of Clan ColquhounClan Colquhoun
Clan Colquhoun is a Highland Scottish clan.The clan motto shown above in the crest best translates to "if I can."-Origins of the clan:In the 13th century Maol Domhnaich, Earl of Lennox granted the lands of Colquhoun, located in Dunbartonshire, to Humphry de Kilpatrick...
took advatage of this to win the King's favour by capturing Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle
Dumbarton Castle has the longest recorded history of any stronghold in Great Britain. It overlooks the Scottish town of Dumbarton, and sits on a plug of volcanic basalt known as Dumbarton Rock which is high.-Iron Age:...
from Lennox.
Sir John Stuart of Darnley was created 1st Earl of Lennox of the new line by King James III of Scotland
James III of Scotland
James III was King of Scots from 1460 to 1488. James was an unpopular and ineffective monarch owing to an unwillingness to administer justice fairly, a policy of pursuing alliance with the Kingdom of England, and a disastrous relationship with nearly all his extended family.His reputation as the...
in 1473.
Malcolm the fifth Earl of Lennox led Clan Lennox into England and besieged Carlisle Castle
Carlisle Castle
Carlisle Castle is situated in Carlisle, in the English county of Cumbria, near the ruins of Hadrian's Wall. The castle is over 900 years old and has been the scene of many historical episodes in British history. Given the proximity of Carlisle to the border between England and Scotland, it...
.
16th century
A clan battle took place between the Clan KincaidClan Kincaid
Clan Kincaid is a modern Scottish clan.-Origins of the surname:The Kincaid surname is of territorial origin being taken from the former lands of Kincaid in the Parish of Campsie, Stirlingshire, Scotland. The lands are located just north of Kirkintilloch, in the north-west angle formed by the River...
and the Clan Lennox of Woodhead in 1570.
Henry Stuart (1545-1567) Lord Darnley and the eldest son of the 4th Earl of Lennox was the second husband of Mary, Queen of Scots. He was also the father of King James VI of Scotland. The King promoted the 8th Earl of Lennox to Duke of Lennox in 1581.
Clan chief
- Chief: Edward Lennox of that Ilk and Woodhead, Chief of the Name and Arms of Lennox.
- Arms: Argent, a saltire between four roses Gules.
Tartan
- Lennox District tartanTartanTartan is a pattern consisting of criss-crossed horizontal and vertical bands in multiple colours. Tartans originated in woven wool, but now they are made in many other materials. Tartan is particularly associated with Scotland. Scottish kilts almost always have tartan patterns...
: The Lennox District tartan was reproduced from two known copies of a lost portrait dating from the sixteenth century, which was claimed to be of the Countess of LennoxMargaret DouglasMargaret Douglas, Countess of Lennox was the daughter of Archibald Douglas, 6th Earl of Angus, and Margaret Tudor, Queen Dowager of Scotland...
(mother of Henry Stuart, Lord DarnleyHenry Stuart, Lord DarnleyHenry Stewart or Stuart, 1st Duke of Albany , styled Lord Darnley before 1565, was king consort of Scotland and murdered at Kirk o'Field...
who married Mary, Queen of Scots). The tartan was reproduced by D. W. Stewart in his book Old and Rare Scottish Tartans published in 1893. Scottish Tartans World Register #935